Alpine Ski tour, France

This year we decided to go back to the same place as last year ...  Beaufort - a quintessential small French town away from all the tourist trappings of this time of year, and even better - much less well known to the hordes of Brits away for half term week.

We were 7 this year so upon recommendation from the owner of the last apartment we had booked a new place - a little bigger but much else we did not know until we got there.

Two other elements played into the trip down .. first Steph being a florist and the Friday was the 14th (one of the busiest days in the the flower calendar) so it was not possible to leave until late on Friday night. This played directly into number two ...  a massive storm travelling up the channel just in time for the crossing.

We got to Dover to in time for our 11pm crossing, to see the waves crashing over the harbour wall and lots of movement .. however we all got on board, not before the usual argument with the load master over not wanting to ride the ramp to the upper car deck - it never gets any easier.

The start of the crossing was delayed for an hour whilst they sorted out a clear path through the traffic on the seas and then gunned it over. The stabilisers worked overtime, and lots of people were using the facilities, but I lay down on the lounge carpet and slept for most of it, preparing for the night run.

On the French side we set off without too much problem down the usual route to Geneva, and apart from the gusting wind and rain squalls it was not too bad a time. We picked up traffic down the A39 and then more at Bourg en Bresse .. Paris had the same half term and it seemed like they were all heading our way. We were still on the front of the bow wave, but picked up the "bouchon" as we split onto the A40 but soon sorted itself out by the Nantua tunnel. From here it was an easy run to Anancy where we stopped for supplies, and met up with Chris and M-J who were fortuitously 30 mins or so just behind us.

So on to Beaufort.in convoy and into the apartment.. 


Very spacious and we were soon at home ...  apart from the wood pellet fire .. too hot and needed constant feeding (well twice a day)

Trip Time Line

	|
	|	Arrive Beaufort
Areches	|
	|	Le Plannay
Les Saisies	|
	|	Col du Pre
Areches/ Grand Mont	|
	|	Rain Day
Go Home	|